Houston teen booked on terrorism charges, accused of trying to help Islamic State

An 18-year-old from Houston, Texas, made his first court appearance Monday, after he was arrested Friday and charged with distributing explosive-making instructions, and trying to provide material to the Islamic State (IS formerly known as ISIS/ISIL). Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya provided directions to FBI agents posing as IS supporters on how to build AK-47 or AR-15 assault rifles from readily available parts, so as to avoid detection from authorities, a criminal complaint stated, according to KTRK. Authorities say that in August, Damlarkaya had been communicating with undercover FBI agents and other contacts online. Damlarkaya reportedly told the undercover agents that he planned to go fight for IS overseas, but if he couldn't do that, he allegedly planned to follow through with an attack in the US. He also provided a formula to alleged IS supporters for explosives and instructions on how to use the explosives in a pressure cooker device. The complaint further states that Damlarkaya suggested that the assumed IS supporters use a Samurai sword or machete as an alternative to an explosive or a gun. The teen stated that he carried a knife in case he got stopped by authorities, according to the charges, KTRK reported. Damlarkaya faces the possibility of a 20-year maximum prison term if found guilty. (KTRK)